Challengers

40 : Change of Pace

We had secured a quite good location inside the forest before the two-minute limit ran out. There weren't any groups nearby, too, so we could monopolize the goods we'd find, but the problem was we didn't see any treasure chest while we were prowling through the forest earlier.

Alarms blared again, and this time, it was followed by an incomprehensible language—an indication that the aliens had already 'invaded.'

Nagsimula na akong kabahan. Kahit 4:30 p.m. pa lang ay pakiramdam ko malapit nang mag-gabi dahil medyo madilim sa gubat. On top of that, they were playing eerie sounds through the speakers, making the vibe more ominous and apocalyptic.

"Okay, let's review the plan," Zion said, breaking the silence.

Our game plan was for me to lead the hunt since the aliens couldn't see me. Meanwhile, they'd secure positions around me to distract the aliens or the other groups in case we encountered them.

"Ready ka na ba?" tanong ni Arin at tumango naman ako.

Nagsimula kaming maglakad sa areas na hindi namin dinaanan kanina. It was honestly terrifying since every sound could alert anyone around. Napatigil naman kami nang marinig namin ang pagsigaw mula sa hindi kalayuan.

"Don't tell me may nahuli agad?" remarked Roi.

Binilisan namin ang paglalakad habang alert pa rin sa mga nangyayari sa paligid. After about ten minutes, we finally found a small chest hidden beneath the fallen dried leaves.

"Dali, dali!"

"Baka may makakita, bilis Elix!"

It took me a few moments to unlock the chest since the rope was tied in several complicated knots, which Zion managed to identify.

"Na-research ko before for my story," he suddenly explained. I realized I was giving him a suspicious look since he was just casually naming the knots.

"Wala naman akong sinabing anything, ah?"

"Your face says otherwise."

Hindi naman na ako nakapag-reply dahil tuluyan nang natanggal ang tali. Agad kong binuksan ang chest at kinuha ang lahat ng nasa loob nito.

"Guys, takbo na! Parang may naaninag ako sa bandang kanan," warned Arin and we immediately ran to the opposite direction.

I saw a glimpse of the aliens and it was honestly terrifying. It seemed like the production crew hired people who were 6 feet and above because they looked tall and would probably tower over the guys. Each of them were wearing black skin suit and an alien silicone mask to complete the look.

"Ang creepy ng itsura nila, grabe," Arin remarked as we hid behind the trees. "Feeling ko tuloy real-life aliens sila."

"Tangina, isang hakbang nila, parang tatlo natin. Alien ba sila o higante?" dagdag ni Roi.

"Let's check these first. Nandyan ang weakness nila for sure," sabay turo ni Zion sa hawak ko.

Ngayon ko lang din natingnan nang maayos ang lahat ng kinuha ko mula sa chest dahil sa pagmamadaling tumakbo kanina. The first item was a scroll containing crucial information about the zombies. Apparently, they were weak against water, and all we had to do was target the white rectangular tag on their chest or back with a water gun.

"Wait, isa lang 'to?" Kinuha ni Arin ang isang maliit na water gun na kasama sa laman ng chest. "So, isa lang sa atin ang makaka-attack sa kanila?"

"No. Some are buried," sagot ko matapos mabasa ang tungkol doon sa scroll.